# SmartRow vs Rowing Machine Workouts

The clearest difference is rating: Rowing Machine Workouts at 4.7 against SmartRow's 3.8. Rowing Machine Workouts also leads on review sentiment (87% vs 46%) and update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months). SmartRow's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10) and ads (none vs shown). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Rowing Machine Workouts sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. SmartRow asks for nothing beyond the download.

Rowing Machine Workouts holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 73 and 349 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 46% of SmartRow's written reviews are positive against 87% of Rowing Machine Workouts's.

SmartRow ships an update every 2 months, Rowing Machine Workouts weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SmartRow | Rowing Machine Workouts |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.8 (73 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smartrow/id1223542275/reviews) | **[4.7 (349 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rowing-machine-workouts/id1552557008/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 73 | **349** |
| Positive reviews | 46.0% of reviews | **87.2% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 60 MB | 76 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Ergometer Innovations B.V.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1356320200) | [Vigour Group Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1546613605) |

## What reviewers say

### SmartRow

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smartrow/id1223542275)

Transform your WaterRower into a high-precision ergometer. Track detailed workout metrics including force curves and heart rate, and monitor fitness indicators like Watts-per-Beat. Sync your progress seamlessly with Apple Health.

**Highlights:** Lab-grade ergometer conversion, Detailed force curve analysis, Heart rate graphing, Workout tracking and history, Fitness metrics (Watts-per-Beat, Watts-per-Kilogram), Apple Health synchronization

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Accurate data and metrics
- 🔍 Detailed performance tracking
- 📊 Integration with Strava and Apple Health
- 🔧 Customizable display and settings
- 🤖 Seamless Bluetooth connectivity

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Unstable Apple Watch integration
- 🔍 Limited data export options
- 🕰️ Lack of pause/resume functionality
- 🔢 Distance-based intervals not supported
- 🔌 Occasional connectivity issues

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes during long rows
- Workout data not saving properly
- Connectivity issues with Bluetooth devices
- Compatibility problems with newer iOS versions

**Requested features**

- Distance-based interval workouts
- Audible cues and prompts during workouts
- Ability to duplicate/sort custom workouts
- Integration with Garmin devices
- More advanced performance analytics


### Rowing Machine Workouts

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rowing-machine-workouts/id1552557008)

Guided indoor rowing workouts for fat loss, cardio, and strength. Offers plans for all fitness levels, from beginner to weight loss, with features like audio coaching and activity tracking. Works with any rower.

**Highlights:** Guided rowing plans for various goals, SPM metronome for pace control, Audio coaching with music support, Activity tracking and workout logging, Customizable workout builder, Free Row mode, Apple Health integration

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (9)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Rowing Workouts Weekly | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Premium Monthly | $14.99 | per month |
| Premium Yearly | $79.99 | per year |
| Premium | $79.99 | per year |
| Rowing Workouts Yearly | $79.99 | per year |
| Rowing Workouts Yearly | $79.99 | per year |
| Rowing Workouts Yearly | $99.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Access | $249.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Effective graphics and workout
- 👍 Straight forward and easy to use
- 👍 Metronome helps with pacing
- 👍 Variety of workouts and programs
- 👍 Warm-up and cool-down exercises

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Subscription issues and lost access
- ⚠️ Lacks ability to sync with rowing machines
- ⚠️ Interrupts stroke when changing pace
- ⚠️ Limited data tracking and analytics

**Reported bugs**

- Free trial not functioning properly
- Connectivity issues with some rowing machines

**Requested features**

- Ability to create custom workouts
- Integration with Apple Watch
- More detailed workout data and progress tracking


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SmartRow free?

SmartRow is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Rowing Machine Workouts free?

Rowing Machine Workouts is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, SmartRow or Rowing Machine Workouts?

Rowing Machine Workouts is rated higher. SmartRow averages 3.8 out of 5 from 73 ratings, while Rowing Machine Workouts averages 4.7 from 349 ratings.

### Do SmartRow or Rowing Machine Workouts have ads?

Rowing Machine Workouts shows ads; SmartRow does not.

### Which is updated more often, SmartRow or Rowing Machine Workouts?

SmartRow ships an update every 2 months, and Rowing Machine Workouts weekly. Most recently, SmartRow was updated on October 5, 2026 and Rowing Machine Workouts on October 10, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*